SETH MACFARLANE, QMI Agency

Giving a fifth-round pick at next year's draft to the New Jersey Devils, the Flames brought in winger Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond.

"It's my first time being traded, but from what I've seen in the past, a trade is good news. The team that gets you, obviously wants you. They wouldn't do the trade just for fun," he said from his off-season home in Quebec City. "To me, it's good news. It's a fresh start. I get to play in a Canadian market and a great city. I'm excited."

The 6-foot-2, 210-lb. winger played 64 games with the Devils' AHL affiliate in Albany last season and collected 13 points and 334 penalty minutes. He skated in two NHL games last season and compiled 21 penalty minutes.

Letourneau-Leblond -- who is in the final year of a one-way contract with a US$525,000 cap hit -- has played 37 career NHL games, and has three assists and 91 penalty minutes.

It's not just the name that gives people trouble, Letourneau-Leblond is a pest who came recommended by Flames head coach Brent Sutter, who previously held that same role with the Devils.

"It's fun to play for somebody I know. He gave me my first game in the NHL with the Devils, so it'll be nice to have a familiar face on the bench," Letourneau-Leblond said.

Sutter may appreciate hard-nosed hockey as much as the next person, but also expects players, even policemen, to contribute in ways other than just throwing punches. Sutter wants to roll four lines as much as possible, so the expectations is to be a solid player.

"That's the goal," Letourneau-Leblond said. "That's always the goal, to play and contribute. I've always been good at not putting my team in trouble. I know my role and I'm a physical player, not afraid to fight if I have to. If you can do that job without putting your team in trouble, you'll help your team have success."

TWO MORE INKED

Max Reinhart, one of the team's top prospects, and defenceman Brendan Mikkelson signed contracts Thursday.

Reinhart, selected 64th overall in 2010, is coming off a career season with the WHL Kootenay Ice in which he collected 34 goals and 74 regular-season points. The centre added 15 goals and 27 points in 19 playoff games to help his team reach the Memorial Cup tournament.

The son of former Flames all-star defencemen Paul Reinhart signed a three-year entry-level contract worth US$900,000 per season in the NHL.

Mikkelson, who the Flames claimed off waivers from Anaheim last season, signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $721,900 at the NHL level.

Mikkelson played 19 NHL games for the Flames. He has played 86 games and collected six assists.

A NEW TV VOICE

Peter Loubardias, who has been the play-by-play voice of the Flames for the last three years, has been let go by Sportsnet.